Packers ROSTER

MEET THE 2018 DRAFT PICKS

First round (No. 18 overall): DB JAIRE ALEXANDER, Louisville:

Some might cite edge rusher as a bigger need, with almost-32-year-old Clay Matthews in a contract year. But new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine never had great edge rushers with the Jets, where he made his bones—he had great cover corners, which he put on islands to enhance his interior pressures and zone blitz disguises. Presumably, that’s how head coach Mike McCarthy wants to play, given that Pettine’s predecessor, Dom Capers, subscribed to a similar philosophy. The Packers appear to have a quality cover corner in Kevin King (though the 2017 second-rounder has played just nine NFL games). The hope now is they have another with Alexander.

Second round (No. 45 overall): CB JOSH JACKSON, Iowa:

There’s no doubt that Mike McCarthy and new defensive coordinator Mike Pettine believe that teams win with one-on-one coverage in the NFL. From there you can create a pass rush through deceptive looks and blitzing. The Packers had just one quality corner on the roster entering this draft (last year’s second-rounder Kevin King). With Jaire Alexander last night, they’ve now added two more. Don’t rejoice completely, though, Packers fans. No pick is a sure thing. Green Bay drafted corners in Rounds 1 and 2 in 2015—Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins. If that had worked out, Alexander and Jackson wouldn’t be here.

Third round (No. 88 overall): OLB OREN BURKS, Vanderbilt:

Coverage linebackers are important in today’s NFL, and the Packers needed one after Joe Thomas signed with Dallas in free agency. New defensive coordinator Mike Pettine likes athletic, interchangeable pieces in the middle of the field, because it makes it easier to disguise your looks.

Fourth round (No. 133 overall): WR J’MON MOORE, Missouri:

Moore followed up a strong junior campaign with an equally impressive senior season. While Missouri’s offensive scheme made things easy on him and allowed him to rely on his athletic ability to succeed, he has the size, speed and talent to be able to succeed beyond what was asked of him in college. Moore is still raw and will need time to expand his knowledge and feel for the position, but he has the talent to become a WR3 or WR2 within the first two or three years.

Fifth round (No. 138 overall): G COLE MADISON, Washington State:

Madison’s athletic ability, foot quickness and ability to sustain blocks on the move make him a desirable target for teams who want offensive linemen who can excel in space. However, his lack of anchor in pass protection will likely be targeted by pass rushers looking to for holes to exploit. A move inside to guard could benefit Madison, if he can add strength and play with better knee bend.

Fifth round (No. 172 overall): P JK SCOTT, Alabama:

45.6 average punt. Four-year punter who is able to work for distance, hang time or placement whenever he needs. He’s been a consistent performer who operates well under pressure and possesses soft hands to handle poor snaps. He has the talent and play traits to become a long-time NFL starter.

Fifth round (No. 174 overall): WR MARQUEZ VALDES-SCANTLING, USF:

Height, weight, speed prospect with intriguing deep ball capabilities as a big field stretcher. Valdes-Scantling is a work in progress who hasn’t learned how to create leverage within his linear routes and doesn’t have the ball skills he will need to win downfield. He’s probably not ready to help a team just yet, but his issues may be correctable so he’s worth a Day 3 selection as a stash-and-coach prospect.

Sixth round (No. 207 overall): WR EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN, Notre Dame:

St. Brown’s combination of size and speed will be coveted by offenses looking for a prospect who can create throwing windows down the field with his ability to separate as the route progresses. St. Brown’s competitive nature needs to improve as does his play strength to elude early pressure from physical cornerbacks. He has never been a volume target and has just three 100-yard games in his career. At this stage, St. Brown is more of a threat than a weapon and his ceiling may be an average starter or WR3.

Seventh round (No. 232 overall): DE JAMES LOONEY, California:

Looney’s quickness and disruptive qualities were on full display in 2016, but he was much easier to block in 2017. He lacks the size and strength to play inside and it appears as though adding functional weight on his frame is a non-starter. Looney will likely need to improve his lean muscle mass and try to transition into a role as a base 4-3 end who might be able to reduce inside as a situational pass rusher in sub-packages.

Donnerson’s tape is nowhere near draftable in terms of his skill set, but from an athletic standpoint, his testing numbers are beyond rare for his size. Donnerson is a project that teams might not be willing to draft, but will be more than happy to stash on the practice squad as a PFA while they try and improve his technique and skill, hoping to unlock his athletic gifts. At this point, Donnerson is no more than a lottery scratch-off with the potential for a tremendous pay-off, but with the odds against it.